Teachers selling ad space on their exams?!

Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse folks. Yeah, that's right, a teacher in California is selling ad space to cover the expense of making photocopies. This is beyond despicable. Who knows if this practice will spread and what the broader implications might be in a society where commercialism has taken on a life of its own. A classroom is place where ideas are to be shared, critiqued, and debated...not a place for companies of any kind to advertise their goods and services.

I'm disappointed in Senator Durbin

On Monday evening I saw a short news clip of Senator Durbin's press conference where he advocated commuting Governor Ryan's prison sentence because the former governor's wife is in poor health (Durbin wrote a letter to the president). So, Tuesday morning I called both WNTA 1330AM in Rockford as well as the senator's office in Washington DC to voice my disapproval. As someone who has taught in the prison system, I know there are inmates who have endured similar circumstances, and that didn't translate into a shorter sentences for them. It appears that even in total disgrace, Governor Ryan has access to resources (a level of influence) most people will never have at their disposal. His political connections should not lead to an early release - especially when he doesn't think he did anything wrong.

The casualties of 'Black Friday'

Moths to a flame? Or junkies in search of a fix? I'll let you pick the better metaphor. Perhaps you have one of your own.

You know that American-style capitalism brings out the best in humanity when people get hurt or killed amidst the deluge of shoppers lusting after bargains. As I read about what happened today (click here for an update), I wondered how many unreported incidents occurred inside stores across the country.

Whether you want to believe it or not, this is part of the "American way of life" that our soldiers are fighting to protect abroad.

Happy Holidays.

My issues with Thanksgiving...

First, people shouldn't take the lives of innocent, sentient creatures to sustain their own. I wish that turkeys could fight back and stop human beings from killing them for such morally bankrupt reasons.

Secondly, the cooperation between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Indians is used by some to wrongly characterize the relationship between European settlers and Native Americans.

Thirdly, people shouldn't need a holiday to remind them of how important their family and friends are. I think about who matters to me every day.

Fourth, I doubt that God (if she or he exists) had anything to do with the colonist's safe passage to the "New World," rather the weather and ocean conditions did.

Unfiltered news is the best kind available

If you're tired of filtered media stories about the most radical contingent of the animal rights and environmental movements, then you should read the anonymous communiques that members of the underground send out following one of their actions:

-North American Animal Liberation Press Office

-North American Earth Liberation Front Press Office

What matters here is that you get to decide how you feel about the action without someone else framing the issue. Moreover, having access to this information contributes to the discussion of which tactics are / aren't necessary or appropriate for ongoing campaigns.

Turn off the TV sometime and turn on the radio

Back in the early 90s I developed a fascination with talk radio in Chicago. I listened to WLS, 890 AM on a regular basis and would call in on subjects I had strong opinions about. When I lived in Rockford, I listened to WNTA, 1330 AM everyday on my drive to and from work as well as over my lunch hour. I became a regular caller on a variety of issues and even a studio guest on three occasions (the first on civil liberties, and the other two on animal rights). Even though I don't live in Rockford anymore, I still tune-in through the Internet at work because I really enjoy Ken DeCoster's show, weekdays 10am-1pm. Talk radio might seem antiquated to some people, but it will forever surpass television for the following reasons: 1) the strong focus on local issues; 2) the much wider variety of interesting guests; 3) the depth of discussion; and 4) the participation of the masses.

If the media is so liberal...

...then it would have totally ignored the Barack Obama - Bill Ayers association, and sure as hell wouldn't continue talking about this ridiculous issue following the election. Just watch the Good Morning America interview (this is the link to part one) with Ayers from last Friday (for part two, click here). It's almost as if Chris Cuomo wants to create a story by asking the same questions multiple times over. That said, I give Professor Ayers a lot of credit for standing by his principles on national television; his willingness to criticize the United States for our involvement in Vietnam and other foreign wars abroad.

What I really like about driving home from Chicago...

The moment I hit I-290 just west of downtown, I usually pop in Champion (click here for a live performance of "Promises Kept") and put my foot to the floor. Nothing beats a straight edge sing-a-long at 85mph as I'm swerving in and out of traffic. It's not quite the same in the fall since I have to keep the windows rolled-up, but whatever, I always dig loud music with a message - especially a message that reaffirms your lifestyle choices. "We're still here, and we'll never forget the words we fuckin' said..."

The results of ADL's open meeting

This afternoon, ADL Chicago hosted an open meeting at a branch of the Chicago Public Library in the Logan Square neighborhood. More than twenty people came out and this is very encouraging because we need to start planning new campaigns. The annual Fur Free Friday march is right around the corner, so once that is knocked out, then we can move on to other issues that people want to pursue. During the ride back to Jen's place, she and I talked about who we thought the undercover cop might be. You know they sent one to keep an eye on us.

I won't be celebrating an Obama victory

While this election might be historic, I simply cannot hop on board the "change" train and drink the Obama Kool-Aid. If you're voting for him tomorrow, then you're reinforcing a serious problem with politics in this country. Honestly, there's nothing democratic about our two party system when officials intentionally manipulate the process to alienate other voices and relegate them to a place outside the existing political arena. Furthermore, the electorate is partly to blame for this - for its short attention span and memory lapses and inexcusable level of ignorance. Many exercise their right to vote without pondering the implications of their choices as they reaffirm a broken system. People who are dazzled by recycled policy from decades past (i.e. the New Deal and Great Society), nomination acceptance speeches in football stadiums, campaign infomercials, and multi-million dollar celebrations have lost sight of what public service is really about. Also, I'd love to know how it feels to be thrown under the Obama '08 campaign bus. Maybe I should ask Reverend Wright and Bill Ayers.